| On March 1, the Jerusalem Local Planning Committee convened to discuss the Nof Zahav settlement plan for 100 new housing units and 275 hotel rooms, which will constitute a major expansion of the Nof Zion settlement at the entrance to the Palestinian neighborhood of Jabal Mukabber. Although the Jerusalem Municipality's planning department (the professional echelon) objected to recommending the plan for deposit for public review, the committee members recommended it despite their reservations. As previously reported, the plan will go before the Jerusalem District Planning Committee next week on March 6 where they will discuss the plan for approval for deposit.
If approved, the plan will transform Nof Zion from an isolated settler enclave to a contiguous built-up extension of the neighboring Israeli settlement/neighborhood of East Talpiyot. Currently comprised of 95 residential units with some additional 200 units under construction, Nof Zion is slated to become the largest settlement in the heart of a Palestinian neighborhood in East Jerusalem with a capacity of 400 housing units. See map below.
Beyond its geopolitical implications, this is yet another example of the severe discrimination in urban planning and housing in East Jerusalem. Despite the plan being designated for the entrance of Jabal Mukabber, it is not intended for the community’s development needs, but rather the expansion of a Jewish settlement in the middle of a Palestinian neighborhood.
See our previous alert for further details and analysis. |
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